Fusible link



Patented Jan. 4l, 1927.

rUsiBLn LINK.

Application led November 15,1920. Serial No. 424,016.

This invention relates to fire extinguishers and particularly to fusible links for automatic sprinklers and similar purposes.

Stated generally, the object of the invention is to provide a fusible link for the purpose specified, Which shall be simple in construction, strong, durable and effective for its designed purpose.

A specic object of the invention is to provide a fusible link of this general type, the outer sides or surfaces of which, when assembled, Will be .substantially flat and obstructed throughout, so that said link will present a neat and attractive appearai'ice and the lodgement of dust and dirt on which will be prevented. j

To effect the foregoing objects, a fusible link of Vmy invention comprises the various features and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed. n

ln the acompanying drawing in Which my invention is fully illustrated- Figures l and 2 are respectively, full views of opposite sides of a fusible link 'of my invention.

Figure 3 is an edgeivise view thereof.

Figures 4 and 5 are respectively, detached views of the connected sides of the plates forming said fusible link.

Figure 6 is a. sectional view on the lines 6-6 of Fig. l.

Figures 7 and 8 are views, substantially similar to Figs. 4 and 5, respectively, showinga fusible link embodying` my invention in slightly modified form.

Figure Qris an edgevvise view of. a fusible link formed by plates shovvn in Figs. 7 and 8; and

Figure l() is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional vievv of one of the plates forming my improved fusible link, illustrating a detail of construction.

Referring now to the drawings, my iinproved fusible link designated as a whole a, consists 'of two plates l and 2 soldered together. Said plates are preferably stamped from sheetphosphor bronze or other suitable sheet metal, and a-re of proper width and thickness to afford requisite strength. When operating in tension, said plates l and 2 are preferably stamped from metal of about 16 gauge.

As shown, said fusible link is adapted t0 he applied through the medium of toggle arms indicated in dotted lines at 3 and 4,'

Figure 3, the relation being such that said fusible link Will act in tension.

To provide for engaging the toggle arms 3 and Llwith said fusible link a and to perinit said toggle arms to separate when said link fuses, each of the plates 1 and 2 is pro vided with a hole 5 in `one end and a slot or notch 6 in its opposite end, and said yplates are soldered together with a slot 6in one thereof in register with the hole 5 in the other, thus providing for pulling said plates apart endivise, as contemplated.

rlChe connection between the plates 1 and 2 to resist tension applied to said fusible link is strengthened-thus correspondingly relieving the stress on the solder joints connecting said plates-by interlocking shoulders 7 and 8 formed on the overlapping, connected ends of said plates.. l and 2. The shoulders i' are formed at the ends of lugs or projections 9 formed on the inner side of the plate l and the shoulders 8 are formed at the ends of recesses 10 formed in the inner side of the plate 2. Both the lugs 9 and recesses l0 may be conveniently formed by stamping, in a familiar manner, the dies used for forming the recesses 10 being so constructed that said recesses will be formed by consolidating or compressing the metal Without forming projections on either side of the plate 2, both sides of which, outside of said recesses, Will thus be perfectly flat. Preferably, also, the recesses l0 extend entirely through the plate 2, forming slots 11 in the outer sides of said plate 2.

The struck up shoulders 7 are made of a length substantially equal to the thickness of the metal from which the plates l and 2 are stamped, so that the outer ends thereof vill not project beyond the outer side of the plate 2, when said plates are assembled.

Said shoulders 7 and 8 Will be inclined to the planes of the connected sides of the plates l and 2, the angle of inclination being such that tension applied to said plates vvvill produce a desired component of force tend? ing to effect disengagement of said shoulders and to force said plates apart. For general use a desirable angle of inclination of said shoulders to the planes of the connected faces of said plates is about 60 degrees. This angle may, however, be varied Within a considerable range to meet varying conditions.

As shown, there are tivo sets of projecvso tions E) and recesses 10, Jforming duplicate sets of shoulders 7 and 8.

As shown, said projections 9 and recesses Vl0 are formed entirely Within the marginal number ot projections and recesses, ot anyV desired Width and arranged in any desired relation.

For example, instead or positioning said projection 9 and recesses i() entirely Within the margined edges of the plates l and 2, my invention contemplates forming them directly at the edges oit said plates.

This modification is shown in Figs. 7 to 9 or the drawings, in 1which a designates the fusible link as a whole, l', 2 the plates forming same, and'9 andV l0 Vthe projections and recesses on which the interlocking shoulders, designated i and 8', are formed, said projections and recesses being formed at the marginal edges of the plates l and 2.

` Gbviously, byfacing the interlocking shoulders on the plates l and 2 in opposite directions to those shown in the drawings,

said fusible link can readily be adapted for use in compression instead of tension.

I claim:

A fusible link comprising plates soldered together in overlapped position, struck-up spaced lugs, on the contacting side of one only of said plates Which project above the side of said plate, and correspondingly stamped spaced recesses formed in the contacting side of the other of said plates, interlocking shoulders formed at the ends of said lugs and recesses, respectively, said shoulders being inclined to the plane of the contacting sides ot saidv plates at an angle slightly less than a right angle, the relation being such that when said Jfusible link is subjected to endwise stress in opposition to said shoulders, said shoulders Will produce components or torce tending to disengage them and to separate said plates, the height ot said lugs being substantially equal to the thickness of the plate in which the recessed shoulders are `termed, and said recessed shoulders extending substantially entirely through said plate but Without producing distortion ot the exposed side thereof.

ln testimony, that l claim the'foregoing as my invention, l aliix my lsignadgure this 12th day or November A. D. 1920.

' lNM. GRIMSHAVV. 

